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Well it's about time I got into the game seeing that everyone has a large tank going. But seriously, I have always dreamt of having a large tank ever since I got into this hobby and now I've finally manage to achieve it. I hope this journal will be helpful and at the same entertaining. I bring you a custom 90G at 48"x20"x22". The tank is Euro-brace meaning it offers ample room for arm space compared to your usual acrylic tanks. It also uses 3/4" thick acrylic to ensure no bowing overtime. Here she is-
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Anyways, before buying the tank the old question came down acrylic or glass. I thought long and hard about this decision and I went with acrylic for a couple of reasons:
1. Clarity, acrylic is clearer than any glass out there including Starphire. The main selling point.
2. Inline plumbing, gave me the chance to finally setup a water changer along with two outflows and inflows at opposite ends with the use of bulkheads.
3. Insulation, this was not a main concern but it is an important one since it would mean the heater will work less frequently to stabilize the temperature and it will take longer for the outside temp. to affect the water temperature.
Then why the canopy? Why not topless? Well I would have loved nothing more than an open top, but I had to take the surrounding furniture into consideration. Having an open top and modern-style stand would clash with the traditional maple furniture in the room. Hence either get new furniture or use a canopy.
For the plumbing I will be using soft-plumbing mainly for the ease of use and for maximum flow since I won't need any elbows. Bryce's 'Fluid Mechanics' was definitely the main reason why I did not go with PVC.
However, before anything can continue I need to first raise the large painting in the back and I need to reinforce the beams underneath the house. Although the tank is near a load-bearing wall and perpendicular to the beams, I want to make sure that the support underneath won't dampen overtime.
Suggestions and questions welcome!
Anyways, before buying the tank the old question came down acrylic or glass. I thought long and hard about this decision and I went with acrylic for a couple of reasons:
1. Clarity, acrylic is clearer than any glass out there including Starphire. The main selling point.
2. Inline plumbing, gave me the chance to finally setup a water changer along with two outflows and inflows at opposite ends with the use of bulkheads.
3. Insulation, this was not a main concern but it is an important one since it would mean the heater will work less frequently to stabilize the temperature and it will take longer for the outside temp. to affect the water temperature.
Then why the canopy? Why not topless? Well I would have loved nothing more than an open top, but I had to take the surrounding furniture into consideration. Having an open top and modern-style stand would clash with the traditional maple furniture in the room. Hence either get new furniture or use a canopy.
For the plumbing I will be using soft-plumbing mainly for the ease of use and for maximum flow since I won't need any elbows. Bryce's 'Fluid Mechanics' was definitely the main reason why I did not go with PVC.
However, before anything can continue I need to first raise the large painting in the back and I need to reinforce the beams underneath the house. Although the tank is near a load-bearing wall and perpendicular to the beams, I want to make sure that the support underneath won't dampen overtime.
Suggestions and questions welcome!
